The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, signed into law on June 3, raised the U.S. debt limit and ushered in the most significant revisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in its 50+ year history. While the statutory changes are notable and important to understand, most of the changes codify longstanding agency practice
Congress Advances Federal Environmental Permitting Reform in Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023
The reform mainly focuses on streamlining and narrowing the scope of environmental review at the federal level.
By Janice Schneider, Nikki Buffa, Devin O’Connor, and Kevin Homrighausen
On June 3, 2023, President Biden signed legislation implementing the bipartisan debt ceiling and budget agreement as the “Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.” As part
AB 1000: Legislative Restrictions on New Warehouse Construction Granted Reconsideration in 2024
A proposed bill before the California legislature would impose strict requirements for the construction of logistics facilities and warehouses throughout California. AB 1000, introduced by California Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gomez Reyes would require planned industrial facilities to adopt statutory mitigation measures to be approved by local governments. The bill would apply to facilities
Amendments to NEPA Following Debt-Ceiling Deal Would Improve Permitting for Major Infrastructure Projects
On June 3, 2023, President Biden signed the Fiscal Responsibility Act to temporarily suspend the United States’ debt limit. The legislation also amends the National Environmental Policy Act with the intent of streamlining the federal permitting process for infrastructure projects.
U.S. EPA Issues FAQ Memo on Lithium-Ion Battery Management Under RCRA
As lithium-based batteries become more prevalent in everything from electric vehicles (EVs) to industrial-scale batteries, as well as e-scooters and personal electronics, more questions arise regarding how to properly manage and dispose or recycle them at the end of their lives. On May 24, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a memorandum titled “
From Farm to Table: How the Supreme Court’s Pork Ruling Impacts States’ Rights and Doing Business in California
In a heavily fractured decision last month, the U.S. Supreme Court held in National Pork Producers Council, et al v. Ross, et al, that a California law (Cal. Health & Safety Code 25991, known as Proposition 12), which forbids the in-state sale of whole pork meat that comes from breeding pigs “confined in a cruel
June 8 Webinar: EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Regulation
Greenberg Traurig cordially invites you to join a webinar focusing on the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Regulation.
Thursday, June 8, 202310-11 a.m. ET | 4-5 p.m. CETREGISTERCBAM is an EU regulation that will apply as of October 2023, that will require companies importing cement, electricity, hydrogen, fertilizers, iron, steel, aluminum, and other
Human Rights and the Environment – European Parliament adopts amendments to draft Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive
On 1 June 2023, the European Parliament (the “EP”) plenary session adopted its proposed amendments to the draft EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (“CSDDD”).
The adopted text largely mirrors the version voted on by the EP’s Legal Affairs Committee in April 2023 (which we discussed in our earlier blog post), in that it
Green Taxonomy Prototype for Hong Kong
On 30 May 2023, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) released a discussion paper titled “Prototype of a Green Classification Framework for Hong Kong” seeking feedback on developing and adopting a green taxonomy for Hong Kong. In an effort to support Hong Kong’s role in linking green financial flows between Mainland China and the rest
The Rise of Reclaimed Water: Reuse of Water in Arizona, Already Important, is Primed to Grow Alongside Increasing Scarcity of Other Water Sources
It seems that not a day goes by without another news story bringing Arizona to the forefront of a national dialogue about water security in a time of drought, changing climate, and growing population. This article is Part 6 of Snell & Wilmer’s series providing context for that dialogue as it applies to Arizona’s diverse